The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) works on a variety of coastal resource planning efforts ranging from rocky shore site management planning to a conservation plan for a threatened species, the Western Snowy Plover. OPRD also participates with its partner agencies and stakeholders in statewide coastal and nearshore planning efforts that have the potential to impact recreational and natural resources of Oregon’s Ocean Shore Recreation Area.

Ocean Shore Management Plan

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has planned for its Ocean Shore jurisdiction. The plan is a comprehensive look at all of OPRD's regulatory and management responsibilities for the Ocean Shore, and the Ocean Shore Management Plan.

The Plan aims to ...

Take a "big picture" view of OPRD´s beach jurisdiction, including over 200 miles of sandy beach in seven counties

Strike a balance between resource protection and allowance for human uses

Open a forum for discussions with our beach neighbors, visitors and governmental partners about beach management issues

Support a proactive approach to addressing a variety of challenging issues for Oregon's coastal beaches

Provide a basis for future partnership efforts to care for Oregon's beaches

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is working on developing Rocky Shore Areas Site Management Plans for high use rocky intertidal areas adjacent to state parks. The focus of these plans is on improving park management based on existing authorities and responsibilities. No new rules or designations are being proposed. The plans will be used by OPRD staff, in consultation with its partners, to guide future rocky shore resource and recreation management, as well as minor facility improvements (e.g., trail maintenance, informational signage) and to enhance on-site interpretive opportunities.

Rocky Shore Management in Oregon: Status and Trends of Resources, Uses and ManagementA July 2006 report was prepared for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department during a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Management Fellowship held by Laurel Hillmann. The document is too large to fit online; however, a pdf version of the entire report is available on CD. Please send an e-mail to: laurel.hillmann@state.or.us to request a copy.

Habitat Conservation Plan for Western Snowy Plovers

Management of the Ocean Shore, for which the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has responsibility and authority, may negatively affect snowy plover and their habitat resulting in take of the species as defined under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Therefore, OPRD has developed a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) in order to receive an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The permit provides OPRD with the long-term assurance that the department will be able to keep beaches open to recreation (except for a few sandy dunes where plovers nest) as long as we improve plover habitat in a few, high-priority spots on the coast.

OPRD has taken a proactive role in preparing for climate change. The department established a project team to examine the issue and prepare a draft plan as a way to meet the Governor’s Climate Change Integration Group (CCIG) recommendation that “agencies should meaningfully incorporate projected climate change impacts and preparation planning into all of their existing programs and policies.”

The purposes of preparing a climate change response plan as identified by the OPRD project team are to:

start to define the potential range of impacts from projected climate change and assess the risks to natural ecosystems, infrastructure, recreational use, human communities, and cultural resources, particularly as they relate to OPRD property and functions;

develop a strategy that prepares the department to adapt to anticipated conditions influenced by climate change and to mitigate for factors leading to climate change;

promote coordination and consistency with the climate response plans of other state agencies; and

position the department to take advantage of potential funding sources for research, planning, and response.

Oregon is currently engaged in a variety of ocean planning and management activities. A state developed website, “Oregon Ocean Information”, will help you learn about these activities and about opportunities to be involved. OPRD staff participates in planning that has the potential to impact the resources of Oregon’s Ocean Shore Recreation Area, including Territorial Sea Planning and Marine Reserves Planning.